Mesquite, TX – October 21, 2020 – The City of Mesquite has named a planned $12 million water pump station in honor of 37-year City employee Matthew Holzapfel, who is retiring at the end of October. Holzapfel is the Director of Public Works and started his career with the City in 1983 as an engineering assistant. The Matthew Holzapfel Water Pump Station will begin providing 10 million gallons of potable water per day by 2022.
During the surprise presentation at the Oct. 19 City Council meeting, Holzapfel said, “I am very humbled. I told the City Manager that no one made a fuss when I started in 1983 and no one should make a fuss when I leave. So I am truly honored.”
City Manager Cliff Keheley said, “Matt is a true professional and has done so much to oversee the growth of our community. He has overseen the construction of much of our City’s infrastructure. He has also improved our sanitation, streets and utilities. Most importantly he improved our drainage infrastructure. Because of Matt Holzapfel, houses do not flood in Mesquite. That was a passion of his and he held that very true to his heart to make sure nobody had to experience the loss of property due to flooding.” Keheley shared that he is a better City Manager because of working with Holzapfel.
The Matthew Holzapfel Water Pump Station will be located in Kaufman County to serve the City’s growing housing population and planned developments. The facility will have the capacity to expand to produce 30 million gallons of potable water per day.
Holzapfel earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. He spent two years in the Peace Corps helping to design and build water systems, bridges, health clinics and schools in Honduras.
Holzapfel spent his entire 37-year City career in the Public Works Department. He was promoted six different times and was named the Director of Public Works in 2017. He is a life member of the American Public Works Association. In addition to his role with the City, he has been active in the Boy Scouts and church-related activities. His family includes Sandra, his wife of 41 years, five children and five grandchildren.
